Reader question: Are there any free autoroutes in France?

Local France

07-05-2025

According to a
government report
published in March 2025, France had 1.1 million kilometres of roads in 2023.
But of that 1.1 million, over one million are 'secondary roads', categorised as departmental and communal roads. These might include rural routes, side streets and village roads.
Another 21,225 km were main network routes connecting major towns, while 9,474 km were classed as 'other national roads', a figure that includes national roads in the French overseas departments and territories.
In total, just 11,752 km were classified as autoroutes in mainland France, and the vast majority (or 9,211 kms) were so-called 'concessionary autoroutes' – aka toll roads that are operated and maintained by private companies, under contracts with the government.
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It doesn't take a degree in mathematics to work out that means there are 2,541 km of 'non concessionary autoroutes' out there that drivers can use for free.
These are managed directly by the government, with the cost of maintenance coming out of the taxman's wallet.
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These stretches often run through less-populated regions where it is considered that toll-free urban roads and motorways are vital for economic and social development.
It's important to note that services on free sections are often less developed than privately operated ones.
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These are the main toll-free motorway stretches in France:
A75 between Clermont-Ferrand and Béziers;
A20 between Vierzon and Montauban;
A84 between Rennes and Caen;
A35 between Strasbourg and the border with Switzerland;
A31 between Toul and the border with Luxembourg (partial);
A28 between Abbeville and Alençon (partial).
You can also see a map on the
Roole media website.
Meanwhile, in the northwestern region of Brittany, there are stretches of road that look a lot like autoroutes but – for historic reasons – aren't. They have a lower speed limit (110km/h, compared to 130km/h) and are free for motorists to use.
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It is not impossible that some currently tolled autoroute stretches could in the future fall under direct government control and become toll-free, for example – in the style of the A20 between Brive and Montauban, which returned to government ownership in 2006 after being operated by a private company.
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What about 'free flow' tolls?
Additionally, a small but increasing number of autoroute stretches are now
'free flow' or
Flux Libre
.
Do not be caught out – these are still toll roads, and you still have to pay to use them. It is simply that the system of payment has changed to match the times.
Basically, you go through the toll and then you pay later, either online via the Sanef website or at a
tabac
. You can also use a pre-paid
télépéage
badge to pay, which also allow you to skip the queues at other tollbooths.
In future, more autoroutes in France are likely to become 'flux libre', while many autoroute concession contracts are due to end between 2031 and 2036, so there are plenty of changes ahead.
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